ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Early detection and intervention seem to improve development in autistic children, and teachers form an important part of their early social environment. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess baseline knowledge and misconceptions regarding autism among school teachers and evaluate factors influencing their knowledge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey enrolling primary school teachers using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Seventy-three teachers (mean age of 34 years, 66% females) responded. Gaps in awareness and knowledge were found. About 52 (71.2%) teachers identified themselves as having some knowledge about autism, with 23 (44.2%) among this group understanding autism as a neurological/mental disorder. The majority (73.1%) believe that special education is a helpful intervention. The only significant factor that influenced knowledge among teachers was attendance of behavioral classes (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that teachers have an inadequate understanding of autism due to several misconceptions. This calls for increased education of teachers with regard to autism and other childhood disorders.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dual aspirin-clopidogrel antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) has been shown to decrease the risk of adverse cardiac events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used in these patients to decrease the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and several studies have reported potential interaction and conflicting clinical outcomes with their use. We aim to assess the effect of different PPIs and other factors on the recurrence of cardiovascular (CV) events in patients following PCI. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort on patients who underwent PCI in the last 5 years and were discharged with or without PPIs. Strict inclusion criteria were adopted, outcome measures were defined, and patient follow up up to 2 years was collected. RESULTS: Out of 740 patients, 453 (61.2 %) had received PPIs and 287 (38.8 %) were discharged without PPIs. Ninety-five (12.8 %) patients were readmitted due to adverse CV events. Statistically, there was no significant difference in the recurrence of CV events with the use of different PPIs (p = 0.384) and PPI use had an overall protective effect (p = 0.009, HR 0.58 (CI 0.39-0.88). Patients with history of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.048) had an increased risk of adverse CV events. CONCLUSION: We conclude that pharmacokinetic interaction between PPIs and antiplatelet therapy is not associated with adverse CV events. A comprehensive, multicenter, open-label trial including all PPI subclasses and patient and disease-based factors is warranted for a fair evaluation.
